Archive for the ‘Inspiration’ Category

We share the same humanity, we share our need for purpose, identity and community – even if we prefer our own company and solitude. Our lives consist of ebb and flow, coming and going, life and death. We may struggle to make our mark, to make ends meet, to be creative and fulfilled. We have dreams, hopes, disappointments, drama and trauma. Often, we look from afar to others for support and guidance, and are attracted by their creative expression, wisdom and aura. “We absolutely have to tell the world, show the world, that there is a collective responsibility to act. We share the same humanity and we cannot continue to allow economic wars to be fought on women’s bodies.”

Every year I look back on the biggest challenges that life brings us but also looking at the greatest opportunities what came to us with thanks. Life never hands out things that you can’t handle. How you approach it will determine how you come through the other side. You can assume the victim role and feel sorry for yourself, or you can reach into the essence of who you are and find your inner strength. Then demand the self-worth and ability to rise up and meet your challenges heart on. You need to believe you can do this — you are powerful, you are amazing and you are inspirational!

Today we are giving thanks to all who have been supportive and kept us going from darkness to the ultimate light. From unconnected to be connected. This is just another year I praise to be surrounded by my beloved ones, my advisors and supporters, my team of smart developers and engineers and all those appreciated connections from around the world. Happy Thanksgiving. Thanks for your continued support @Kumbaya

We all have to recognise that we all have weaknesses. I know I do. But I’m never willing to let them defeat me, or get me down. I have always sought to turn my disadvantages into advantages. For example, my dyslexia taught me to think differently, and solve problems in a unique way.

Richard Branson A to Z of business: W is for Weakness

I became a really good delegator early in life, and learned to find and work with people whose strengths balance my weaknesses.

By surrounding myself with fantastic people, who are brilliant in the areas where I struggle, we’ve managed to grow Virgin into the global group of businesses that it is today.

Image from Chase Jarvis

So instead of covering up your weaknesses and trying to sweep them under the rug, acknowledge them and start thinking about ways that you can use them to really benefit you.

Imagine the 600 Million illiterate people living in the poorest, off-grid rural villages and neighborhoods in need of major change. While change began years ago with the proliferation of small home solar systems that provide energy access, today Kumbaya has laid the ground work for accessibility to not only the much-needed power and light, but also to “network connectivity’ that ensures access to the basic necessities to transform illiteracy in to knowledge. At Kumbaya, our focus is developing the technologies to ensure we have a platform that allows our user to acquire the necessary skills and basic education.

Why education? Despite great progress in the last few years, millions of children are still denied their right to education. Restricted access to education is one of the surest ways of transmitting poverty from generation to generation. Education is a vital human right. Every girl and every boy should have the right to a quality education so that they can have more opportunities in life, including employment, better health and the possibility to participate in the political process. At Kumbaya, we believe the most important period to acquire the basics are the first years. This is when we must ensure that children learn to read, count, and acquire the necessary life skills to form the basic fundaments for continued learning throughout their lives.

Children who have access to quality early childhood programs do better in primary school and will have better academic outcomes later. It is vital that low and lower middle-income nations invest more in affordable early childhood programs.

Our Kumbaya connected platform was designed for the most vulnerable and marginalized groups, those who are most likely living in rural off grid communities and affected because of a lack of electrification and connectivity. In most of these areas, the high illiteracy rates are due to non-existent or unsuitable education infrastructure, lack of trained teachers and inadequate learning materials.

We are often asked, “Why is educating girls in rural Africa your emphasis?”

Educated girls and women tend to be healthier, have fewer children, earn more income and provide better health care for themselves and their future children. These benefits also are transmitted from generation to generation and across communities at large, making girls’ education one of the best investments a country can make.

(By Clara B, Freeman). Many who should be leaders are afraid to step up and become what they know in the bosoms of their existence, is their supernatural calling. It’s so much easier to remain followers. I don’t believe leaders are born, I think they are made to see things differently than others. I think leaders ‘see’ what others can’t even fathom.

What makes an effective, trusted and respected leader? What makes them special? There are the obvious dynamics of course; learning from life experiences, discipline, a strong work ethic and a core belief system. These core values stem from parental upbringing, environmental and behavioral observations and institutional learning, some of which are carried into adulthood.I learned morals, empathy, perseverance, faith and compassion from my mother. I learned to appreciate value of hard work and the almighty dollar from my dad. Daddy used to say as long as you work, you’re never broke. If daddy was alive today, he’d get a loving adult daughter rebuttal on that one:) We all have an affinity for learning from our parents who are our first teachers and more often than not, we tend to accept these lessons as truth.

As leaders age, there’s a tendency to not go along with the status quo as easily. Where the degree or certification is viewed as a prerequisite to great leadership advantages, these people who would be leaders know book sense and common sense are not always interchangeable and so they might consider an alternative and forge ahead to discover their own truths. If you’re a team player who is a follower in medicine, technology, the arts or any area of your living, and you carry an overwhelming desire to lead others in your heart; a desire to making something from nothing or make an impact in the lives of others, now is the time to believe in yourself and do what you feel you were created to do. Step away from the sameness and do that great thing you’ve always wanted to do. Trust and believe someone is waiting for you to lead the charge.

Leadership Qualities:

When you practice the golden rule of treating people the way you want to be treated, in business and in your personal life, you earn trust and belief from those looking to be a part of a winning team. To be an effective leader you must leave your ego at the door. Leaders don’t use their power to lord over or to belittle others. A true leader doesn’t use their power to abuse or demean; but to uplift, encourage and invoke creative solutions to challenging problems.

Don’t be aggressive in your leadership or quick to anger. Instead practice assertive decorum and lead by example. Don’t mix business with pleasure or give your employees ammunition to disrespect your leadership. Steve Harvey wrote a scolding and scorching letter to his employees recently, berating them for approaching him, whenever. Perhaps if he’d initiated a policy and procedure manual upon hiring, mandated to all of his employees, they might have gotten the memo that Mr. Harvey wasn’t their ‘ride and die’ but their employer. You show people how you want to be treated.

The more you know, the more you grow in the role of a leader. The visionaries, motivators and innovators in leadership positions are often led by their desire to see greatness in others and are willing to teach others what they have learned. If you have been sabotaging your leadership abilities because you are afraid of failure or even success in your new role, now’s the time to stop the madness of negativity and fear. Step out on faith and keep going. If you fail, try again and if you fail again, keep trying until you’ve given it all you got. Nothing hurts worse than never giving ‘U’ a chance.

Sometimes You Don’t Want The Responsibility

I spent over 30 years in a leadership position during my nursing career. There were many times I felt that I didn’t want the headache. Through trial and error of coping and strategizing on how to handle people attitudes and sensibilities, I got better at what I called my lot in life. I settled into my calling and people took notice. Over the years, I’ve spoken to patients and their family members, women and male co-workers seeking advice or a listening ear. I became someone I never asked to become…mentor, advisor, confidant, encourager and motivator.

I’ve always been sensitive to the needs of children, not only because I’m a mother, but because children are innocent and look to adults for their protection and unconditional love. I’ve advocated for the safety of children on the school grounds and in gang infested neighborhoods… I’ve sat in awe of the elder wisdom as I’ve bathed them and dressed their wounds, sat at their bedside to hear their stories of happiness and regret. I’ve heard about their childhoods, marriages and their love for nature and music. I’ve heard the unspoken yearning for human connection in their aged voices. No woman is an island and so we have to love ourselves enough. We have to choose our battles wisely, where our voices reach the furthest.

Women of a certain age were the catalyst for Authentic Woman in 2008. I wanted a place where women could share their stories and speak their truths. It was a mirror to the reflection of our younger selves who were quickly growing into our older selves. In writing, talking , hosting and connecting with women, the dynamic of the woman voice changed. Women from all over the world, every ethnicity and every age stop by here, either to read, comment, or grab an email address to share concerns and seek help in making an informed decision. I’ve welcomed every voice!

I don’t want to change my blog’s message. I wanted to extend the longevity of Authentic Woman and so I wrote Unleash Your Pearls Empowering Women’s Voices as an invitation to all women who want to share in the woman journey. This is a book from authentic life lessons, interactions with other women voices and from my heart on life challenges and its triumphs. If you haven’t gotten your copy of Unleash Your Pearls, contact me via the book’s email-unleashyourpearls@yahoo.com.

I hope that you continue to live your one special life on your terms and keep doing what makes you happy. I look forward to reading your comments and encourage you on your mission journey. I know you will make a positive impact in the minds and hearts of others.Because my journey has brought me to other avenues to explore in the phase of my living, I will be taking an indefinite leave from my blogs. I won’t leave social media entirely, but , for now, this is my final posting at Authentic Woman. My goal is to continue to do work that brings awareness and help empower the voiceless.

Every day you will be more disappointed by things you didn’t do than by the ones you did. Success comes to those who do not hesitate and wait, but to those who are ready for it. We must act, but also dream, we must plan, but also have a belief. Belief the fact, that failure will defeat losers. But the same failure will inspire the winners. Winners will achieve the goal, to reach success. So, throw of the bowlines. Sail away from the save harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore, Dream and Discover. Our warmest wishes for a prosperous and happy New Year

This time of year, I wish you and all our friends, family and colleagues Happy Holidays with human and spiritual unity, closeness and compassion. These days represent a time for loving, giving and spending time with our dearest and closest. But while we share in holiday meals, unwrap our presents and celebrate this joyous season, we must not forget all the people who struggle to get through another day. For those not so fortunate, I humbly ask you this holiday season to light one candle and become a flicker of hope, love and service that lights up the darkness for those who lack the resources to have their own light.